Filler package



April 11, 1939. L, B N IT I 2,154,195

FILLER PACKAGE Filed Dec. 11, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 L. BENOIT FILLER PACKAGE April 11, 1939.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 11, 1937 Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

My present invention relates to a filler package comprising two units, viz. a filler and an enclosure therefor. More particularly, it is concerned with certain features of construction by 6 which a cellular filler may be retained within an enclosure of the open-ended type; and with means for securing the overlapped portions of a wrapper type of enclosure while furnishing at the same time a brace between the enclosure top and the filler therebelow.

The features of this invention, as will hereinafter appear, may be variously embodied. The filler may be of a one-piece moulded construction, or it may comprise a plurality of pieces interfitted to provide cells. Likewise the enclosures for such a filler may be in the form of a wrapper, or an open-ended tube, or even a carton with a hinged cover. In the ensuing discussion I shall refer to eggs as the commodities. forwhich the 0 present filler package is especially designed, but

it is to be understood that such articles, whereever referred to, are merely typical of many with which the present filler package may be employed to advantage.

In the accompanying drawings which represent certain embodiments of my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wrapper type of enclosure whose overlapping top portions are adapted to be securedby a brace lock which is here shown in process of being fitted in place;

Fig. 2 which. is a similar view shows the brace lock advanced to operative position.

Fig. 3 is a development View of the blank from which may be formed an enclosing wrapper of 85 the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on line SP-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary horizontal section looking down upon an erected lock in operative position adjacent the cross wall of a filler such as is shown in Figs. 13 and 14;

Fig. 8 which is a perspective View shows a modified construction of wrapper blank in its initial position in relation to a trough-like form by which its several locks are advanced to effective position;

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the wrapper blank advanced to its limit within the form, the looks being fully advanced to operative position;

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are fragmentary details in section showing, respectively, three successive stages in the erection of the locks in a wrapper as it is advanced into the form;

Fig. 13 is a transverse section through an openended tubular carton having a filler therewithin, the filler package being shown in position within 5 a trough-like form by which the locks along two folded edges of the carton are moved to operative position; and

Fig. 14 which is a similar view shows an angle form for erecting the locks along one folded edge of the carton.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, I have shown a cellular filler F which, if desired, may be moulded into an integral structure with a plurality of cells all as is common at the present time. Such a filler may or may not be selfsustaining, but in either case it is desirably, if not necessarily, associated with an enclosing container W which may be of the wrapper type, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2. Such a wrapper (see 2 the blank shown in Fig. 3) may be produced from a single sheet in which are desirably formed scorings or crease lines a, b, c, d extending in parallelism thereacross to define at one end of the sheet a cover section l5, then a front (or back) 25 wall section [6 between the lines a and b, then a bottom section 11 between the lines b and c, then a back (or front) wall section l8 between the lines o and d, and finally a second cover section 19 at the opposite end of the sheet. When erected, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the two cover sections l5 and I9 will overlap to complete an enclosure which is open at opposite ends so as to permit the filler to be slid endwise thereinto or therefrom. 35

The moulded type of filler herein illustrated is integral as to all of its parts, and is formed to provide a plurality of cells each defined by walls 20 which depend from a horizontal platform 2|, the walls being inwardly turned to form cell bot- 40 boms 2 alllying in a common plane. Within each cell of such a filler an egg E or other article may be received, the upper portions of such eggs protruding above the filler platform so as to be exposed to view and made accessible for removal. 45 The enclosure within which such a filler is received is of a vertical dimension suflicient to accommodate the eggs when stood on their smaller ends (as is common) within the filler cells. In

such circumstances the tops of the eggs will lie in the lower part of the enclosure, any vertical 6 6 shock which is transmitted to the filler package must be withstood as to the upper portion thereof solely by the eggs themselves. Obviously, this is a bad feature since commodities such as eggs are fragile in the extreme. The very purpose of protection to the eggs while contained within such a filler, particularly when the filler packages are shipped or handled, is attained in only an imperfect manner.

To provide a vertical bracing internally of the enclosure, and at the same time lock the two overlapping cover sections, I provide in each of the latter a pair of slits 25 .and 26, each extending for a substantial distance across the section away from the proximate bend line. Both slits are desirably in parallelism, with one end of each inwardly curved toward the other as at 21. The slits in the one cover section l6 are so placed as to register with the corresponding slits in the other cover section Hi. In consequence, when the cover sections are folded in overlapping relation, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a pair of narrow slits is provided for the reception of keys which may comprise a pair of walls 28 each depending from a connecting sheet 29 of fibrous material or the like. It may be desirable that the opposite ends of the walls should extend beyond the proximate edges of the connecting sheet, in. which event two proximate ends of the walls should first be inserted through the registering slits adjacent their straight ends, as shown in Fig. 1; the sheet may then be moved down flat upon the outer cover section requiring, in consequence, an inward deflection of the opposite wall ends until they have passed through the curved ends of the slits whereupon the walls will straighten out again to lock the brace in place. When so disposed the two cover sections are joined immovably to each other, and the two Walls which form part of the lock are extended horizontally beyond the ends of the cover slits and vertically into the space below the covers to engage with the platform of the filler. A brace is thereby provided for reinforcing the enclosure top and preventing the transmission of vertical shocks to the eggs or other commodities contained within the filler cells.

If desired, the cover section I5 which lies to the inside of the other, may be provided with other undulating slits 35 parallel with the slits Z5 and 26 but to the outside thereof, these undulating slits communicating at opposite ends with other shorter slits 36 in transverse or divergent relation thereto. The extremities of these shorter slits terminate at the ends of a bend line e which is parallel with the longer side of the blank (see Fig. 3) and relatively close thereto. The connected slits 35 and 36, in conjunction with. the bend line 2, provide a tongue 31 which is adapted to be struck inwardly to depend vertically into the space above the filler for engagement with spaced points upon the platform thereof. A pair of such tongues, one provided near each end of the enclosure, will accordingly supplement the bracing action of the two walls of the cover look, as well as furnish end closures which will maintain the eggs securely in their intended positions. The undulating lower edge of each tongue is preferably so configured that its contact with the filler platform will be confined to points about in line with the center of each longitudinal row of cells therein. Since these tongues are formed on the inner cover section, the openings which remain will be closed over entirely by the outer cover section.

The means thus far described have to do with locking the overlapping cover sections of a wrapper type of enclosure, with providing a brace which extends between the filler therewithin and the enclosure top thereabove, and with closing the wrapper ends. by depending tongues whose presence is largely concealed. It may be desirable, additionally, to secure the .filler against endwise sliding movement within such an open-ended enclosure, otherwise the filler together with its contents might become separated from its protecting enclosure. The bracing walls and tongues which engage the filler at points intermediately of its transverse rows of cells from which eggs are upwardly protruded will in some measure resist such a relative sliding movement. A positive lock, however, for holding the filler immovably within an enclosure of the open-ended type is also desirable, and an improved feature of this kind is accordingly one of the objects of my invention.

By reference to Fig. 3 it will be observed that I have provided adjacent the bend lines b and c which form the lower corners of the enclosure one or more like straps as each defined by opposed slits 4! and 42 which, as shown, may be angular. The opposite ends of the slits terminate adjacent bend lines 43 and 44, the former being in the front (or rear) wall of the enclosure, and the latter in the bottom thereof. In addition, the bend lines b and 0 continue on as at I through the area defined by these slits and bend lines 4 l44. Each strap thus formed is adapted with proper manipulation to be pushed inwardly for erection to occupy a position within the enclosure as shown in Fig. 5, the position of each strap being desirably adjacent one or more of the vertically depending walls of the filler which extend transversely thereof. With the straps so erected, obstructions are provided between cells of the filler preventing any, or at most only a limited, longitudinal movement thereof within the enclosure. As shown, two such locks are provided adjacent each of the lower corners of the enclosure, but this number may be reduced or in-' creased, as desired.

By angling the two slits 4| and 42 sothat they approach closest to each other in. the middle, I have provided in effect a truncated form of lock having its minimum width at the point which is furthest within the enclosure. Such a lock is admirably suited to fit between two of the adjacent cell walls 2|] which, as shown in Fig. 6, are contoured in convex fashion. It will be understood that this angled slit formation for the lock is desirable mainly when. used with a moulded filler having the characteristics noted, but that for other types of fillers, such as those employing straight cross walls, the locks may be otherwise shaped, as will be explained in connection with the remaining figures of the drawing.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a trough-like form T having a base 50 with upstanding side walls 5| so spaced as to receive between them the lower portion of the enclosure one of whose edges may abut stops 52. Projecting from the upper edges of the walls are lugs 53 one opposite each strap which is to be erected into a lock. When the lank is to be set up, it is given an initial bend along the lines I) and c, then fitted over the trough form, and then pushed downwardly therewithin. In this operation the lugs 53 impart to the straps the requisite initial inward bend which thereafter increases as the bottom of the enclosure descends into the trough with a consequent up-folding of the remaining portions of the blank (see Fig. 9). Having proceeded through this the filler looks involve movements as indicated in these views and also in Figs. to 12 inclusive, it is of no particular moment what style or kind of filler is to be assembled therewith so long as the walls thereof adjacent its bottom are so placed as to receive engagement from the locks which are erected inwardly of the enclosure. If the moulded type of filler be employed, then desirably the locks should be of truncated form as shown in Fig. 6, Whereas if the filler be provided with interfitting straight walls, then the sides or edges of the locks should desirably be straight, as suggested in Fig. 7.

It is possible to use other forms with substantially equal advantage, two examples being suggested in Figs. 13 and 14. In the former the trough walls 55 are beveled as at 56 along their inner edges to facilitate entrance of a tubular carton or wrapper blank therewithin. No lugs are here used along the top edge of the walls, but instead I provide lugs 51 which are mounted within the trough in opposite corners thereof. These lugs will lie one opposite each of the straps which are to be erected into looks so that when the carton or blank, upon descending into the form, advances sufiiciently to receive engagement from these lugs the straps will be inwardly bent as shown. In Figs. 13 and 14 the enclosure there shown is of the tubular open-ended type with a bottom 66, rear (or front) wall 6|, front (or rear) wall 62, top 63, and depend-flap 64 which is secured over the front wall. The filler shown in these figures may be of the common multi-piece type with a center partition 65 interfitting with cross walls 66. The erected looks, as shown in Fig. '7, are so located as to engage with one or more of the cross walls to prevent sliding movement of the filler within the carton.

In Fig. 14 the carton and filler is the same as illustrated in Fig. 13, but the form is of the angle type with a base 1i! and a single side wall I l. One or more lugs 61 are located adjacent the single corner of the form thus provided. If the enclosure be of the open-ended type, the filler, loaded with contents, is first slid therewithin, and the filler package is then brought to rest within the form in such position that the lugs will operate to inwardly bend the straps which provide the locks. If desired, the filler package may then be reversed in the same form so that other straps, if provided in the opposite corner, may also be erected into locking position. Any suitable stop such as an end wall 12 may be used for centering the carton in proper position for these operations.

It will be observed that the improved look herein described is produced from the material itself which constitutes the enclosure for the filler. No added parts or extra operations are required. This makes distinctly for economy. It comprises a relatively inflexible strap hingedly connected at opposite ends to two adjacent walls of the enclosure and adapted intermediately of its ends to execute a bend which is commensurate with, reversely of, and in alignment with, the proximate fold lines of the enclosure. The filler locks thus produced are of a type which, when bent to position, cannot normally reverse their bend unless the enclosure itself be first straightenedan operation which is not contemplated. Accordingly all such locks can be counted upon to function dependently and effectively. And when employed in connection with a filler which occupies only a part of the space (vertically) within an associated enclosure, the bracing tongues and/or walls, depending from the enclosure top for engagement with the filler platform, will cooperate to maintain the filler always in a position adjacent the enclosure bottom to assure a sustained locking relationship with the several reverselybent straps in the manner already explained at length.

I claim:

1. In a filler package, the combination of a filler, an open ended enclosure extending under, around and over the filler in spaced relation to the top thereof, interengaging means on the filler and enclosure in the bottom portion thereof for resisting endwise sliding movement of one relative to the other, and brace means extending transversely within thespace between the filler and enclosure, said'brace means being of a size to extend from the filler to the enclosure top and from side to side thereof to maintain the filler in operative relation to the interengaging means in the bottom portion of theenclosure and to provide a vertical and transverse strengthening means for the package.

2. A filler package comprising a wrapper type of enclosure with overlapping portions forming a two-ply top, a filler receivable within, and of less height than, the enclosure so as to lie spaced from the top thereof, and a combined brace and lock extending between the two plies of the top and the filler adapted to secure the top plies to each other and maintain the filler spaced therefrom.

3. A filler package comprising a wrapper type of enclosure with overlapping connecting portions, a filler receivable within, and of less height than, the enclosure so as to lie spaced from the top thereof, and a combined brace and lock extending between the filler and the enclosure top adapted to secure the connecting enclosure por-- tions to each other and maintain the filler spaced from the enclosure top.

4. A filler package comprising a filler, a wrapper extending under, around and over the filler with overlapping portions forming a two-ply top for the wrapper, there being in one ply a pair of slits in register with a like pair of slits in the other ply, and a pair of connected depend ing walls each insertable through a pair of registering slits, the ends of the walls extending past the slit ends to engage the under side of the under ply whereby to provide a lock for the wrapper top.

5. A filler package comprising a filler, a wrapper extending under, around and over the fillter with overlapping portions providing a two-ply top for the wrapper, there being a slit in one of the overlapping portions in register with a slit in the other portion, and a lock having a depending portion of greater length than a slit insertable through both slits so as to engage the filler and the inner side of the inner ply beyond the ends of the slit whereby to brace the package and secure the two plies together.

6. A filler package comprising a filler, a wrapper extending under, around and over the filler with its end portions overlapped to provide two plies, there being a curved slit in one of the overlapping portions in register with a curved slit in the other portion, and a normally straight resilient, lock insertable through both slits having means engaging the inner side of the inner ply and the outer side of the outer ply whereby to secure the two plies together.

'7. A filler package comprising a filler, a wrapper extending under, around and over the filler, with its end portions overlapped to provide two plies, there being in one ply a slit in register with a second slit in the other ply and both slits being curved at one end, and a resilient locking key insertable through both slits adapted to lie straight along the inner side of the inner ply whereby to resist withdrawal therethrough, the key having a portion extending in engagement with the outer face of the outer ply whereby to secure the two plies together.

8. In a filler package, the combination of an open-ended enclosure of fibrous sheet material having walls connected along certain lines of bend, a cellular filler slidably fitted within the enclosure, and means integral with the enclosure hingedly connected to two adjacent walls thereof and itself provided with a hinge adapted when bent reversely to the proximate bend line of the enclosure to extend inwardly thereof into a position adjacent a cellular wall of the filler whereby to oppose en-dwise movement thereof within the enclosure.

9. In a filler package, the combination of an openended enclosure of fibrous sheet material having Walls connected along certain lines of bend, a cellular filler slidably fitted within the enclosure, and a strap defined by a pair of slits each extending continuously between points in adjacent walls of the enclosure, each strap being hingedly connected at its opposite ends to said adjacent enclosure walls and having in its middle portion a hinge permitting the strap to be bent reversely to the direction of fold of the proximate enclosure bend line whereby the strap is extended inwardly within the enclosure and maintained immovably therewithin.

10. In a filler package the combination of an open-ended enclosure of fibrous sheet material having bends to define a plurality of walls, a cellular filler slidably fitted within the enclosure, and a lock engaging the filler walls to oppose endwise sliding movement thereof, the lock comprising a strap having two portions hingedly connected to each other and to difierent walls of the enclosure adapted when bent along its several hinge lines to project immovably into the enclosure for engagement with the filler therewithin.

11. In combination, a cellular filler and a plural-walled enclosure therefor, and a lock integral with the enclosure hingedly connected at its opposite ends to adjacent walls thereof and adapted when bent along its hinge lines to project immovably into the enclosure adjacent one of the filler cells therewithin.

LEON BENOIT. 

